Taliesin West solar panels may offset energy costs

Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Taliesin West is employing solar technology to become a modern marvel that produces as much energy as it uses.

This month, Wright's Scottsdale winter home and architectural training ground was equipped with 4,000 solar panels through a partnership with Valley companies Big Green Zero and First Solar. Ongoing energy-conservation improvements to the 500-acre campus will slash the $200,000 annual energy bill in half. The solar panels should generate the rest of the electricity for the year, making Taliesin West what's known as a net-zero-energy property.

"I think the idea of having a world-famous historic landmark also being a beacon for energy sustainability is a powerful thing," said Sean Malone, the new chief executive officer of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which oversees Taliesin West.

Malone said freeing up the $200,000 would allow the foundation to spend the money on programming or preservation efforts.

More than a half-dozen Valley companies donated their services, technology and manpower to the Energizing Taliesin West program. Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark and home to Wright's large archives and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. About 100,000 visitors tour the property yearly, which is one reason Tempe-based First Solar did not hesitate to donate a 250-kilowatt solar system. The installation of the system is estimated at $1 million.

"Our business is about sustainable energy, and partnering with a global icon is an incredible opportunity," First Solar spokesman Ted Meyer said. "It gives us a showcase for our technology and how it integrates into a world-famous site. It is our hope that architects and designers who make the pilgrimage will see what's possible."

The visitors will see the solar panels on the road up to Taliesin West, which is northeast of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Cactus Road. But structures on the campus will look as they did when construction on the home began in 1937.

Phoenix-based Big Green Zero started by doing an assessment of the property in early 2011. Founder Bob Roth said it took several days as eight field experts assessed every electrical outlet, thousands of lightbulbs and about 100 air-conditioners.

At the conclusion, all workers gathered in one room to share their findings. Roth said he only realized it was Frank Lloyd Wright's office upon seeing a picture of Wright in the room.

"It struck me, literally, as I was sitting in his studio, at his desk, that he had this action for innovation and using the technology that was available to make places more comfortable and affordable," Roth said. "Here we have this 1937 laboratory, and we have the ability to demonstrate this."

Big Green Zero put together a plan pro bono to raise the donations for equipment and services, going first to First Solar. "And to our amazement, they said yes," Roth said.

Only one in 10 to 20 buildings are good candidates for solar energy, primarily because most buildings do not have enough space for solar panels to be an acceptable return on investment, Roth said.